JACKSON, MI — With supportive family members seated on a court bench behind her, a woman admitted to cashing regular benefit checks of a friend months after he died.

Linda Chase, 72, pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of larceny by conversion, a felony punishable by up to five years. More severe counts of forgery, a 14-year felony, were dismissed as part of the plea arrangement.

Chase, who kept her friend and roommate, Charles Zigler, for 18 months after he died, will likely not spend time in jail or prison and instead receive probation, said District Judge Michael Klaeren.

"The plea gets her into mental health court, which is where she needs to be," said Jerry Engle, Chase's attorney. "It's hard to imagine that Linda Chase does not have mental health problems that need treatment."

Since Zigler's death, Chase cashed 36 Social Security or pension checks totaling more than $28,000.

Charles Zigler (Courtesy of Linda Chase and WLNS)

"I think the interests of justice were served," said Jackson County Prosecutor Hank Zavislak. "It still subjects her to the sanctions of the law, but it also recognizes the peculiar circumstances of this case."

Zavislak said a referral to mental health court was appropriate in this case, assuring that there will be assessment and treatment to address any underlying issues confronting Chase.

"All would agree that anyone staying with a corpse for two years begs the question of an underlying issue," Zavislak said.

The Jackson County Mental Health Court started in July 2008 and is run by Klaeren. They will monitor Chase's probation, keep track of any treatment she receives for mental health issues and help set up additional treatment, if needed, Engle said. To be eligible for mental health court, Chase's charges had to be changed to at most a five-year felony.

Engle said Chase's mental condition has improved since he took the case in July. Then, Chase did not believe she had family who would help her. She now lives with family, and several attended court Wednesday to support her.

"Good families rally around one another, and they have done that," Engle said.